Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Rooted in 2021

The roots of our Southern Wisconsin prairies run deep and create black soil ripe for growth. The prairie’s deep roots keep it grounded, thriving through droughts and fires, and coming back brilliantly. There are potentially over 700 species that only call the prairie home. The prairie is unique, survives through hard times, and is firmly rooted in our natural surroundings.

There is no doubt these are tough times, but there is also no doubt that you live in your own prairie. The events and emotions that brought you together run deep, along with the family and friends that are unique to your social circles. No matter what happens when things go wrong, you come back brilliantly because you are rooted in each other and your circle.

At ALNC, we want to celebrate the deep roots that tie you and our community together. Our Rooted Weddings are designed to withstand the flames of the current pandemic, and allow you to establish your personal ecosystem with those who matter most to you.

We have dates available in 2024,
please contact rentals@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org for more information.

More Than Just A Celebration…

Having your wedding at ALNC is more than celebrating together: it’s also a way to support children’s environmental education throughout Dane County. Because of this, we absolutely love people that get married with us. You are supporting our mission, so we want to support you as much as possible. We include chairs, tables, cocktail tables, both portable and DJ quality sound systems, staff on-site throughout your reservation, covered outdoor areas, as well as string lights to light up a choice of areas. Rentals include Friday night set-up from 6:00pm to 10:00pm (rehearsal dinners are more than welcome), Saturday access from 9am to midnight, and Sunday access between 10am and 4pm for clean-up and maybe a little brunch and gift opening.

One of the most important things is your peace of mind. As an essential childcare center, ALNC follows a heightened level of safety guidelines, from cleaning to room capacities, and we’ll be more than happy to work with you to plan a safe and memorable weekend. We like to say our staff is included in your rental, and you can always reach out with any questions up until the last guest leaves. For added flexibility, our grounds are fully capable of hosting an all outdoor event.

During the pandemic, your local businesses have been affected as well. To help celebrate our roots, we are working closely with our Community Caterers to offer local, seasonal food that supports our Dane County family. We are encouraging couples to use Community Caterers for Rooted Weddings. Don’t worry about specific tastes or budgets; there are a huge variety of styles to choose from. We will gladly connect you with these local chefs and invite you to try their flavors by dining or carrying out with them.

In our commitment to sustainability and supporting our neighboring community, we are also encouraging couples to use only locally crafted beers, ciders, wines and spirits. All of these local crafters also have tasting options you can explore during your engagement.

Your wedding should celebrate your unique love and our unique community. Feel free to reach out to Ben at rentals@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org with any questions.